Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagements with his Cabinet colleagues regarding Ireland's obligations arising from the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and regarding the implications of the State's continued investment in companies which derive profit from their activities in illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4518/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

The Court’s principal conclusion was that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory was unlawful and that it must be brought to an end as rapidly as possible. The Court also identified a range of legal obligations for all states arising from that situation. These include a duty not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the illegal situation created by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory. In particular, the Court stated that all states have a duty to distinguish in dealings with Israel between its own territory and the occupied Palestinian territory.

The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion, while not in itself legally binding, represents an authoritative statement of applicable international law, which is binding on all states and international organisations, including the EU and its Member States.

My Department is continuing its follow-up to the Advisory Opinion, including through pressing for action at the EU level in light of the ICJ Advisory Opinion and through follow-up at a national level on issues within its remit. In this regard, the Programme for Government sets out a commitment to progress legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory. The State’s investment policy is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.